Ming Pao article – Jan 14, 2006

 

The number of boys and girls playing baseball in North America is significant; kids begin playing from age six to seven years old.

 

At 12 years of age you can also apply to be an umpire. A boy or girl can become an Umpire after taking and passing an Umpire course. Being a baseball Umpire can be very demanding because there are lots of games being played during the summer. Normally a new Umpire would start umpiring baseball games for an 8 - 9 year old age group.

 

Most of the House League games have two umpires: a Home Plate Umpire to the pitches and any plays at home plate; the Base Umpire is responsible for all calls at the infield bases, as well as the outfield.

 

Three Richmond Hill boys, Derek Hayward, Bryan Ma and Geoff Tsang, were interviewed and asked why they wanted to become Umpires. All replied that they love to play baseball, and most importantly, it’s good extra money. The pay depends on the Level of Umpiring skills obtained and the age group of the game. It varies from $12.00 - $50.00 for a game, which normally lasts for 90 - 120 minutes. Derek and Geoff have made a few hundred dollars in each of the last two seasons, averaging $15.00 per game; Bryan made $3000.00 in four months, averaging $40.00 a game